Sent:  January 2, 2003

Subject:  Worship with the Trees!

Good Morning Ethan & Emily:

Sometimes in the early morning hours as I am praying on our front porch I am always reminded as I hear the Aspen leaves “rustling” in the wind that this can be an auditory prompt to give the Lord praise!

I love those verses in the Bible that speak to this truth:

Ps. 96:12b – “Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the Lord!”

1 Chron. 16:13 – “Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the Lord!”

Why do even trees give praise to God?  I think the following verses will indicate why…

Romans 8:21 – “All creation anticipates the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.”  Isn’t that an awesome thought…that even the trees of the forest know that they shall share in our eternal state when there will be no sickness and decay?

Romans 8:19 – “For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who His children really are.”  From this I believe the trees are doing all they can to turn our thoughts and attention to eternal things, so that many will acknowledge the Lord and be saved.

As we listen to the wind blowing thru the branches and leaves, we are reminded that just as we cannot see the wind, so we cannot see God.  But He is there, nevertheless, and just as real as the rustling of the leaves.

We should all take time to occasionally go into the forest and either walk slowly and quietly or lie on the ground and just listen to the wind blowing thru the trees.  As we hear the rustling sound of the leaves, we can join in with our own expressions of praise and thankfulness to the Lord. 

Isn’t it great how God can use even something like a tree leaf to render praise, and in so doing…challenge us to do likewise?

Next time you are in a forest or grove of trees, be blessed as you take time to listen to the sound of the wind in the trees.  Then find comfort and joy as you join in with the rustling leaves giving praise to our wonderful Lord.  And perhaps this is the most majestic of all cathedrals…a cathedral made of trees and leaves!

Have a great day seeing trees in a new perspective of praise.

Sending my love,
Dad